Internet Horror Short Portrait of God Adapted for Film

Portrait of God is a horror short film created by Dylan Clark that gained fame on YouTube. Lionsgate has picked up the project to turn it into a full-length movie. The story follows a girl who sees God in a picture and tries to decipher its meaning. Chase Infiniti from One Battle After Another will star in the feature film. Jordan Peele and Sam Raimi are set to produce the movie, and original creator Dylan Clark will direct it.

The short film lasts seven minutes and packs in plenty of material. It begins with a Bible quote stating that no man shall see God and live. This phrase frames the rest of the events. The plot centers on a religious girl preparing an oral presentation about a painting. Some people say the canvas is blank, while others see a person in the darkness. These reports share eerie similarities. The girl associates the picture with God and views it as a religious experience. As her preparation continues, she starts seeing something more sinister on the canvas.

Jordan Peele and Sam Raimi set to produce Portrait of God

The short film leaves room for viewer interpretation. The upcoming feature film could expand on the short movie, explore the backstory of the portrait, or take a different direction. Dylan Clark wrote, directed, and edited the short. He will direct the feature film and co-write the script alongside Joe Russo from The Inheritance. Horror veterans Sam Raimi from The Evil Dead and Jordan Peele from Get Out serve as producers, joining horror veterans Sam Raimi to help shape the setting.

Interest in horror movies based on internet stories continues to rise, positioning Portrait of God for potential success. These adaptations typically feature low production budgets and built-in fan interest. Kane Parsons adapted Backrooms from a creepy YouTube found-footage series that drew over 100 million views, creating a successful formula that Lionsgate may replicate here.

Source: Polygon